Andorra know they cannot win a match of note and so have discovered other means of heaping ignominy on the opposition. They lumber visiting sides with humiliating victories and England were not good enough to be the exception. Fabio Capello's team, having escaped Barcelona with three points, should be considering an appeal to Fifa. After facing Andorra twice at this ground in 18 months it would be contrary to natural justice if they were ever sent there again.

This fixture had an unsettling effect. Middlesbrough rightly prize Stewart Downing, but if the winger performed at the Riverside as he did here they would be hawking him in the marketplace. Unable to break open Andorra, he breached the tolerance of the visiting fans instead.

Those supporters, mindful of the ugly night Steve McClaren's team had against Andorra, were largely in a self-censoring mood. They could not stifle the boos, all the same, when Downing, in quick succession, sent a pass out of play and put a cross behind the goal. The spectators kept reverting to tolerance purely because they were not surprised. As a good player who did not approach his normal standards Downing typifies a syndrome in England players that Capello is yet to remedy.

England had actually made an alert start before creeping back into percentage tactics. Pumping the ball in the general direction of the forwards is not necessarily a mistake but it is an abdication of responsibility.

The jeers of the fans at half-time were understandable. The team was back on the pitch well before the match was scheduled to resume as if Capello, having made a few pungent points, could not bear the sight of them any longer. He had a different explanation: apparently the players were better off in the fresh air since it was rather warm in the dressing room. It is unknown whether it was Capello's ire that raised the temperature.

His anger was flagrant in the dug-out despite a couple of goals. Those were both scored by Joe Cole, a substitute for Downing. There had been no delay by Capello in taking corrective measures. Emile Heskey, on for Jermain Defoe, became a focal point in attack and Cole, who could start against Croatia after three consecutive appearances for his country from the bench, was vibrant. Capello was enraged when Cole, along with Rooney, started to drop deep, but may find it in his heart to forgive him.

The manager's attention to detail paid off. Rio Ferdinand was unavailable because of a neck injury. With next to nothing required from the defence Matthew Upson lost out to Joleon Lescott for the vacancy. The Everton player scored 10 goals last season, so he has presence in the opposition's penalty area and, with 49 minutes gone, cushioned a Frank Lampard free-kick into the path of Cole. Presented with an opening that lesser players would have squandered, the midfielder finished confidently.

Six minutes later Wayne Rooney turned to squeeze an excellent pass through the middle and watched it slip through the legs of the centre-half Ildefons Lima. Cole collected and slipped the ball into the corner of the net. It was a relief to see Rooney contributing after being so exasperated.

The Manchester United player was slightly more at ease when Heskey was introduced. Capello must dwell on that as he plans for Wednesday's key match with Croatia in Zagreb. "He needs space to run and work," said the manager. "I hope in the next game he will find the space." Capello singled out the impact Heskey had made. The word "no" was used four times when the notion was aired of sending Rooney towards the left, where United are inclined to deploy him. Perhaps we can deduce that he will be sited behind Heskey against Croatia.

Capello jested that Rooney's recent marriage had been a distraction and, more pertinently, remarked that a player of his sort is not at his best until the season is in full flow. The status of David Beckham is also the subject of curiosity. He was only involved for 10 minutes as a substitute in the centre of midfield. There is no desire to keep him there, but to play on the right against Croatia he will have to oust Theo Walcott. The manager spoke of the teenager with more enthusiasm than he has extended to any other individual. "Fantastic moments... very dangerous... very interesting for England," said Capello.

The manager did slip in references to youth and inconsistency. Maybe Walcott can find consolation in the accolades if he is on the bench in Zagreb, but speed on the counter-attack may mean he sees action at some point.

It is a pleasure for the Italian to turn his mind to such topics. "Andorra played only to waste time," he said. "I didn't like this game. I like the challenge." If that is so he ought to be ecstatic about the schemes of the Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has in store on Wednesday night.

Player ratings

David James Touched the ball eight times in the entire match. Could have spent the evening texting his friends back home and still walked away with a clean sheet 6

Glen Johnson Might have scored a second-half goal but hardly a convincing outlet on the right flank. Plenty of endeavour, but afflicted with England's curse in the delivery 4Joleon Lescott One mis-judgment of the ball's bounce in the first half summed up a nervy showing.Fortunately he wasn't tested by Andorra's lone front-runner 5

John Terry Distribution was awry for long periods, and there was even a suspicion his shoulders dropped during the first half. Took frustration out in meaty aerial challenges 6Ashley Cole England needed more guile on the left, and one overhit pass from the full-back prompted Capello to flap in disgust. He is better than this showing 5Theo Walcott Might have provided a goal within 30 seconds, but his welcome pace should not detract from his sloppiness in the cross. Encouraging on his first start, however 7

Frank Lampard Tried hard but did not impose himself, with Andorra's committed if limited midfield rather swamping him. Needed a more presentable sight at goal 6Gareth Barry Started poorly but busied himself into the game, even if this was an occasion for all-out attack rather than one for a midfield defensive shield 6

Stewart Downing Sank without trace and was withdrawn at the interval. His crossing was depressingly woeful and this was a dismal step backwards 3Wayne Rooney Could have done with a goal, though he provided Joe Cole's second courtesy of a smart reverse pass. Worked hard, but needs reward 6

Jermain Defoe The forward was saddled with erratic service at best, but still might have hoped to demonstrate more bite in the box. Too many defenders crowded him out 5